Is Minocycline the only answer for mild acne?

[SpecialKindOfWoman]

DD has been prescribed Minocycline for mild acne, a course of antibiotics for 6 months and blood tests for liver as part of the course. DD is not keen and I was wondering if there are alternative (non drug) therapies which work to clear acne. Any advice please.

Hi

I have had mild to severe acne over the years.

If she wants to avoid drugs then she would need topical applications - she could try over the counter ones first then ask the GP. There are varioius face washes and lotions. I cannot remember the names of them, sorry, one came with like a sponge applicator and then there are I think benzyl peroxide products. Beyond those it is drugs - anti biotics then the certaions versions of the pill then the hard stuff roacatane.

Well, there is always diet approach, lots of publications to explore, here is one
I have also seen papers about a possible link with carb overload.
Have you considered a nutritionist?

Nightcat's link only specifies dairy (by which I assume they mean only cow's milk products, not necessarily eggs or other mammal milk) was found to be a problem, did I read that right?

yes, I reckon cows' mostly as it's fairly intensely farmed (just see this
Eggs are not really dairy, I think the problem is overload. Proiotics might help a little, but I would say take out dairy and limit wheat and it might be OK w/o a/bs.

I have suffered with acne since the age of 11 and the only thing that cleared it for me was going on the pill, dianette. Unfortunately this caused it's own set of problems as I was kept on it for much longer than I should've been due to incompetent doctors...

I have tried the antibiotics oxytetracycline, minocycline and doxycycline. None of these did anything for me even when combined with a topical zinc oxide (zinert) antibiotic too.

Over the counter benzoyl peroxide gels and creams such as quinoderm or pan oxyl can offer short term effects but often make the skin very dry and sore and bleach clothes or anything else they come into contact with.

All the options have their strengths and weaknesses. How old is your dd?
My best friend suffered in her teenage years so took a 12 month course of roaccutane, she has never since had a single spot-now 25.

I would try the minocycline for a max of 6 months, if it is going to help at all it should show signs within about 3.

Products wise I can recommend neutrogena oil free wash (it's in a pump bottle, orange gel-boots).

If the acne is very persistent then dermologica do an acne range of products, these are not cheap though and can be harsh so may only be able to use them every other day. It is best to go to a dermalogica store for a free consultation if you are able to.

I hope something works for her, it can be truly miserable

Zineryt lotion is really good or depending on her age Dianette which is the pill is really good for getting rid of acne too.

I've done the lot since first developing acne in my 20s - Amoxycillin for about 18mths (didn't do a damn thing), Roaccutane and Dianette, Dianette by itself (until I realised it was implicated in liver damage too - can't believe they give it to you alongside Roaccutane which is already a potential liver damager), topical creams with Benzoyl peroxide plus an antibiotic (Benzamycin, Duac).

I can honestly say the best thing I have tried is Freederm gel. You can get it in Boots, it costs about a fiver and the active ingredient is nicotinamide, which I believe is some kind of vitamin. (B?)

It's not perfect but it can definitely curtail my outbreaks both in duration and severity.

Good luck to your DD.

Please have a look at www.acne.org and read about 'the regime' it is about using benzoyl peroxide (2.5%)

I have had acne for 15yrs and have tried everything from The Pill to lasers.

This really worked for me and I've had clear skin for 7 months. You need to read the details on how to use the cream though as incorrect use won't work.

There is something called lumi clear which is a light box type thing which is supposed to kill acne bacteria. I was going to get one but haven't needed it since I started the bp

DD2 is 13 and seems to have permanent acne, mostly on her forehead. She wears foundation and also has dry skin. We've been doing faicial washes and moisturizer but it's difficult to knoe what to use for young skin. Nivea (I think) does a "young" range but it's more for oily skin. I've just bought some Simple moisturizer and having read this will get some Freederm Gel. I really don't want to go the prescription route if I can possibly help it so it's good to know over-the-counter alternatives.

check her skin care regime. A lot of the over-the-counter washes and creams could be making it worse.

I was brwosing a lentil-weaver site this morning (mypure), and a lot of the purchasers swear by the A'Kin products for clearing up mild (hormone related??) acne.

Dermalogica also do a range of stuff that contains either Triclosan or Asprin (Salicylic Acid). DH has mild roseacea and swears by it (in combination with the occasional course of antibiotics). We also found with DH that cheap moisturisers made it much worse. He's on a Liz Earle cream at the moment that seems fine.